Bombardier unveils newest very high speed train in Italy

Rail technology leader Bombardier Transportation today hosted the world premiere of the Frecciarossa 1000 very high speed train at its Vado Ligure site in Italy. Built by Bombardier Transportation and its consortium partner AnsaldoBreda of Italy, the Frecciarossa 1000 is the newest member of the BOMBARDIER ZEFIRO family of high-speed trains and is known as the V300ZEFIRO model. This first train unit will now begin homologation test runs on the rail line between Genoa and Savona, which is also connected to the Bombardier Vado Ligure site. Regular passenger service is expected for early 2015.

Following the presentation ceremony attended by over 250 guests from Italy and other countries, the first group of passengers including Mauro Moretti, Managing Director, Trenitalia, Claudio Burlando, President of the Liguria Region, Lutz Bertling, President and Chief Operating Officer, Bombardier Transportation and Aldo Cingolani, CEO, Bertone Design, boarded the new train. Lutz Bertling was joined by Bombardier employees, Luigi Corradi, General Site Manager, Vado Ligure, Italy and Anders Lindberg, President, Rolling Stock Europe and Asia, Bombardier Transportation.

The V300ZEFIRO is the fastest train in Europe and is capable of reaching commercial speeds of up to 360 km/h. During test runs the train will reach speeds in excess of 400 km/h. Its advanced high acceleration enables the train to deliver excellent travel times, even on winding routes. It is fully interoperable and will provide cross-border services, taking passengers to other European countries without the need to change trains. It could also be adapted for use on networks in many other countries.

The train is an eight-car Electrical Multiple Unit (EMU) that can run in single operation and multiple operation of two units. It will have a total capacity of 485 across four classes, two additional tip-up seats for passengers with reduced mobility and a bistro.

Lutz Bertling, emphasised Bombardier’s commitment to the high speed rail market. He said, “We are delighted to be here today to unveil this stunning new train, which is a game changer in the industry. I am confident the Frecciarossa 1000 will become a world reference in very high speed travelling. It is a train that opens a window to a future in which high speed is not just about travelling faster but cost effectively, more comfortably, safely and without frontiers. Finally, it is one of the most environmentally friendly transportation solutions.”

About Bombardier in the high speed rail sector

Bombardier Transportation holds unparalleled expertise in the field by delivering more than 1,000 high-speed trains and rail vehicles worldwide, either as sole supplier or in partnership. Bombardier has participated in the development of many of the world’s leading high speed rail systems, including four different generations of TGV in France, the ICE trains used in Germany and the Netherlands, Italy’s ETR 500 and V300ZEFIRO, Spain’s AVE 102, AVE 112 and AVE 130, China’s Xinshisu and the BOMBARDIER ZEFIRO family of high speed trains and the Acela in the USA. Further details on Bombardier Transportation’s high speed rail expertise can be found at the following web address www.zefiro.bombardier.com.